Abdomen (Belly) Location, Organs and Bloated Tummy Causes
What is the abdomen?
The abdomen (most likely derived from the Latin word abdodere = to conceal, to hide; possibly in the sense that whatever was eaten is hidden) is a body cavity lying between the chest and pelvis, limited by the diaphragm above and continuing into the pelvic cavity below. The abdomen is also referred to as the belly or tummy. Sometimes the abdomen is also called the stomach but this is incorrect because the stomach is a specific organ.
Being the largest cavity in the human body and containing the most organs than any other cavity, the abdomen is often given much focus in medicine. It is the often the source of some of the more common as well as serious diseases that afflict humans and containing the most amount of organs, it is also more likely to be plagued with various symptoms, such as abdominal pain.
Location of the Abdomen
It is often thought that the abdomen stars from the lower end of the costal cartilage meaning the imaginary horizontal line that runs across the inferior borders of the last rib on either side. Actually the abdomen starts approximately from beneath the 8th rib, or more correctly, at the imaginary horizontal line that runs along in the bottom edge of the sternum (breastbone).
This means that the upper abdominal contents like the liver, stomach, and spleen are neatly tucked under the ribcage. Apart from considering the diaphragm as being the upper internal border and the imaginary line between the iliac crests of the hip bone as being the lower border, it may also help to define the abdominal cavity by its organs and structures.
Organs in the Abdomen
The stomach, the common term used to refer to the abdomen, is actually only one organ in the abdomen, lying between the esophagus (gullet) and duodenum (first part of the small intestine). The abdomen is also referred to commonly as the tummy but this term is used interchangeably between abdomen and the stomach (organ).
It is also important to realize that certain organs like the bladder in childhood and the pregnant uterus can be located or extend up into the abdominal cavity.
Strictly speaking, the following organs are defined as abdominal organs. While some parts could extend downwards into the pelvic cavity, or even protrude into the the thoracic (chest) cavity in a hernia, it still remains an abdominal organ.
- Stomach
- Small intestine: duodenum, jejunum, ileum
- Cecum with appendix
- Large intestine (colon) with the rectum
- Liver
- Gallbladder
- Pancreas
- Spleen
- Kidneys and ureters
- Adrenal glands
- Large blood vessels – abdominal part of aorta, and vena cava inferior
It is also important to remember that several back structures including vertebrae, nerves, muscles and ligaments exist in the abdominal cavity but are often considered under the back or posterior abdominal wall.
Picture 1. Abdominal organs
(source: Wikimedia)
What is a bloated abdomen?
Bloated abdomen is a term that refers to more than one entity – one one hand it is commonly used to indicate visible abdominal distension that typically occurs with gas accumulation but on the other handed it also describes a sensation of being “full” and uncomfortable typically after eating. Similar terms include bloated stomach, indigestion and abdominal bloating.
Sometimes it can be associated with fluid accumulation in the abdominal cavity, a condition known as ascites, but in this case it is commonly referred to as abdominal swelling. However, many people cannot differentiate between bloating due to gas or swelling. In some rare instances, a tumor (usually benign) can grow into a very large mass that cause distension of the abdomen.
Possible Causes of Bloated Abdomen
Ideally a person should differentiate between distension (enlargement) and a sensation (bloated). The most common causes of abdominal distension includes :
- Fat – abdominal fat
- Feces – constipation
- Fluid – ascites
- Fetus – pregnancy
- Flatus – gas in the bowels
It is important to note that excesive gas in the gut does not usually cause abdominal bloating as is often thought. This gas is usually passed out as flatus or a belch. Furthermore the abdominal wall, and particularly the abdominal muscles, prevents expansion unless there is significant fluid or space-occupying mass within the abdominal cavity. Nevertheless many people with conditions like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) experience abdominal distension with associated gas (flatus) build up. This may be due to functional bloating rather than gas.
Read more on excessive flatulence.
Bloated Abdomen Meaning and Serious Cases
The seriousness of a bloated abdomen depends on whether it occurs suddenly or slowly, causes severe discomfort or pain, associated with other non-abdominal symptoms and the events that may have preceded its onset.
- A bloated abdomen that arises immediately after eating food is rarely serious although at times it can be very uncomfortable or even border on painful. This occurrence is common and almost always due to intestinal gas. It seems to occur more frequently in patients with conditions like IBS (irritable bowel syndrome) for no known reason.
- A bloated abdomen that occurs gradually, over hours or days, and is painful can be due to a much more serious underlying cause involving either the abdominal organs or peritoneal space. Symptoms like fever, changes in appetite, nausea, vomiting, changes in bowel movement need to be noted and taken into consideration for the final diagnosis.
- A bloated abdomen that occurs over weeks or months is not usually serious. This can be due to pregnancy or even abdominal obesity. However, many of the same causes of bloating mentioned above can also result in gradual bloating.
An abdominal ultrasound further supported with an abdominal X-ray can often help to isolate possible causes. Further investigations such as a CT scan or MRI will provide better clarity and may need to be followed up with an upper GI endoscopy or colonoscopy in gastrointestinal conditions. Sometimes the abdominal cavity needs to be viewed without imaging studies like a CT or MRI. This may require a laporotomy for abdominal causes of unknown origin. It is a surgical procedure where the abdomen is opened and viewed by the surgeon (open laparotomy) or through keyhold surgery (endoscopic laparotomy).
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